5 stages of grief for below avg MPG

1) sell avalon
2) buy saab
3) replace exhaust system when it falls off
4) enjoy your ride
Good luck!

 

I only drive 3 miles to work in the mornings and haven't been taking my new car too many other places. My display says I'm getting 40 MPG. Cold weather and short commute really take a toll. Hopefully I'll see some better numbers when it warms up.

 

We see 40 on our 1.6 mile commute as well. I think it will improve with temps. Have you blocked any of the lower grill? What is your psi?

 

Is there a good thread or a "how to" on blocking the lower grill on these forums? The tire pressure, I was told, was to the dealers recommendations. I haven't checked yet.

 

grill blocking strategy here:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...62556-2010-prius-grill-blocking-strategy.html
tells you how much to block. If it doesn't cover methods, there are other threads, but basically just buy 2 6-ft sticks of 1/2" pipe insulation at the home improvement center and stuff it in the lower grill of your 2010. I leave the upper open to avoid taking it out on warmer days or longer drives as I do not always monitor the inverter temp.

Tire pressure: get a cheap gauge for 5 to 10 dollars and make sure you at least have toyota placard pressure. Anything you do above that up to max tire sidewall will a) make the ride harsher, b) save fuel, c) improve handling, d) prolong tire life by reducing edge wear.

 

I find it easier when you live in a hilly area. There are so many factors at play. Little villages with low speed zones that you can coast through on electric... or lots of hills.

I know many will say that it doesn't matter, you burn the gas up going up the hill. And kinetically, that is true. However, the engine extracts more from the gas if it's at a very efficient rpm. I really think it's more efficient at a higher rpm going up the hill, then on the way down it's all electric or regen. I am not a scientist or a physicist so I'm not going to make any for-sure claims but it seems to be the truth for me. I get much lower mpg here in Illinois cruising at a steady speed on flat roads than in Wisconcin, West Virginia, Ohio, or Kentucky where there are lots of hills.

 

Join the club ! http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-fuel-economy/38146-35-40-avg-mpg-club.html

I always tease that getting below 40mpg is actually quite difficult.

Ever since I now use a block heater and a cabin heater, I now have to kick myself out of my own club

 

On my first tank of gas I averaged 49.1 mpg and was very pleased. Then, on my second tank of gas, I have not been able to get over 43.1 mpg. It can't be cold weather as I live in southern Alabama, and I drive 75 miles to work and 75 home each day. I also let cruise control drive the car as it seems to do better than I do. I'm just trying to figure out why I lost 6mpg from one tank to the next.

 

I can join the club
But not too happy
I do try to do better but no success yet

 

At what speed do you set the cruise? How much is off-freeway and how many stops are typical?

 

My wife and I bought a 2010 Prius II in July 2009. We average 40.5 according to the car's computer (which seems to be optimistic according to others who have posted).

I am extremely disappointed that Toyota can even get away with advertising and selling this model as 48 hwy/50 city. Ours gets nothing close to that. And, I do not believe we should have to adhere to hypermiler practices to achieve the rating on the window sticker. I saw no asterisks leading to disclaimers about only driving on warm days, downhill, slowly.

I was on the fence with the VW Jetta diesel and I believe it would have returned better MPG with a less refined petro product. I kick myself for not buying it. Much sturdier car, nicer interior, safer, and better mileage. This Prius is a fraud, if you ask me.

Putting up with painful seats, headrests designed for who I do not know, cheap seat and interior fabric, and paper thin sheet metal to get poor mileage in return is a terrible trade off.

I cannot wait to dump this car at a trade in lot. I just haven't decided between the Jetta diesel and the upcoming Volt being built by the socialist plant up in Detroit.

Two thumbs down on the Prius and its poor mileage.

There, I feel much better now!

 

I live in the same area (N. VA), and am able to easily get 50+ indicated. It's largely a matter of re-training the right foot a bit -- without resorting to hypermiling. Use the Eco mode to practice. 0-10 mph on electric, followed by brisk acceleration (I tend to keep up with most nearby traffic), followed by anticipative driving. Using your 12-second visual lead, judge when you can slow down or coast and do so. When I first started driving mine, I was very conservative (not quite hypermiling), and regularly got 60+ indicated. With winter gas, weather and wind, my worst tank has been 48 indicated. Even my son who thought I should've gotten the Jetta TDI recognizes there is some 'vroom' in the Prius.

 

I'll bet you pink slips it's the driver and not the car.

 

Either your right foot is lead-lined or there are serious issues with that car. I'm getting over 60MPG in day time driving. At night it drops into the mid 50MPG range due to the colder temperatures. I live outside Philadelphia where we see considerable amounts of traffic.